As a mom who’s constantly juggling appointments, school pickups, creating content, and keeping everyone healthy, I never expected to find myself rolling up my sleeve for a childhood vaccine again. But that’s exactly what I did last week – getting my second MMR vaccination as an adult. Yes, I got an adult measles booster shot! And, it stung like a son of a gun. Why? Because measles is making an alarming comeback across the country, and experts are warning that many of us who thought we were protected might not be fully immune. And, tbh, I can’t take the risk. Being a good human being is hard.
The Measles Comeback: Why It Matters to Your Family
Measles isn’t just another childhood illness. It’s incredibly contagious – capable of lingering in the air for hours after an infected person has left the room. One person with measles can infect up to 90% of unprotected people around them. And while most recover, the complications can be devastating – pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, Dr. Michelle Chan, an infectious disease physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, puts it clearly: “We worry about the outbreaks because measles is a highly contagious infection. Individuals who have not been immunized, children too young for the vaccine, and those who are immunocompromised can become very ill from measles.”
Are You in a Vulnerability Gap? Check Your Birth Year
Here’s the reality many of us missed: your childhood vaccines might not be giving you complete protection anymore. The CDC has identified several key groups who should check their immunity status immediately:
- Born between 1963-1967? You may have received an inactivated (killed) version of the measles vaccine that proved less effective. Medical records from this era are spotty at best, so if you were vaccinated during this window, doctors recommend getting one to two doses of the current MMR vaccine.
- Born between 1968-1989? You likely received just one dose of the MMR vaccine, as two doses didn’t become standard until 1989. One dose provides about 93% protection, but two doses boost that to 97%. That 4% difference might not sound huge until you consider how contagious measles is.
- Healthcare workers, international travelers, or those who have close contact with immunocompromised individuals should ensure complete vaccination regardless of age, as these positions put you at higher risk of exposure or transmission.
You may need an adult measles booster shot
What about those born before 1957? You’re generally considered immune because measles was so widespread during your childhood that you likely were exposed and developed natural immunity. However, if you’re in a high-risk profession or situation, testing or vaccination might still be recommended.
When Protection Isn’t Just Personal
I’ll be honest – I was frustrated about needing another MMR vaccine as an adult. As I told my doctor while rolling up my sleeve, “It’s ridiculous that I have to get an MMR as an adult, but I don’t want to catch measles and possibly die.”
But then I remembered: this isn’t just about me. It’s about community protection – what medical experts call “herd immunity.” Some people genuinely cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons – babies too young for vaccination, people undergoing cancer treatment, or those with certain immune disorders. My immunity helps protect them. I’m not a selfish person by nature and I definitely don’t want to be responsible for infecting someone else.
I believe in personal choice, but not when those choices put vulnerable people at risk. If parents choose not to vaccinate their children, they should at least keep unvaccinated children home when ill and inform others of potential exposure so families can make informed decisions.
Checking Your Immunity: Simpler Than You Think
The good news? Determining if you need a booster is simple:
- Check your vaccination records if available
- Talk to your doctor about your specific situation
- Consider a blood test that can check your immunity levels
- When in doubt, get vaccinated – receiving an additional MMR dose is completely safe even if you’re already immune
As Dr. Chan reassures patients, “If you are unsure, you can choose to take a dose of the vaccine. It is very safe and not harmful if you happen to receive an additional dose.”
My Family’s Protection Plan includes an adult measles booster shot
At the end of the day, I’m going to do what’s best to protect my family. For me, that meant getting my second MMR vaccine last week. For you, it might mean checking your records or scheduling an appointment with your doctor.
As parents, we make thousands of decisions for our families. This is one where the science is clear: ensuring proper measles immunity through vaccination isn’t just about protecting ourselves – it’s about protecting our entire community, especially those who can’t protect themselves.
As Dr. Chan emphasizes, “It all comes back to vaccines. This is our most effective method of preventing measles infection and resurgence.”
Have you checked your family’s measles immunity status lately? Did you discover you needed a booster? Share your experience in the comments below.
